Nixa boys soccer has turned an early-season test into sustained momentum.
Through its first 13 matches of the 2026 season, Nixa has compiled an 11-2 record, combining an explosive attack with a defense that has consistently limited opponents. The Eagles have scored 50 goals while allowing just 10, producing seven shutouts along the way.
Nixa has generated 263 shots, including 166 on goal, while earning 72 corner kicks. The production has not come from a single source, either, as multiple Eagles have emerged as scoring threats, while the defense has helped Nixa control matches at the other end of the field.
The Eagles season opened with a tightly contested matchup against Columbia Hickman that required two overtimes and a penalty-kick shootout. Nixa's regular time goals in the match came from Gavin Shaw and Sam Krans. From there, Nixa responded by putting together one of its strongest stretches of the season, with six-straight wins before falling to St. Louis powerhouse Chaminade, and is on a five-game winning streak heading into the Kickapoo Shootout on Oct. 1–3.
By The Numbers
| Category |
Total |
| Overall Record |
11-2 |
| Goals Scored |
50 |
| Goals Allowed |
10 |
| Goal Differential |
+40 |
| Shutouts |
7 |
| Total Shots |
263 |
| Shots on Goal |
166 |
| Corner Kicks |
72 |
| Goals Per Match |
3.85 |
Nixa has put approximately 63% of its shots on frame and is averaging nearly four goals per match. At the other end, the Eagles have held opponents to fewer than 1 goal per match.
Rinne Leads Balanced Nixa Attack
Junior forward Spencer Rinne has been at the center of Nixa's offensive production through the opening portion of the season.
Rinne leads the Eagles with 12 goals and nine assists for 33 points, giving Nixa a player capable of both finishing opportunities and creating them for teammates.
His nine assists are particularly indicative of Nixa's overall attack. Rather than relying exclusively on individual scoring, the Eagles have been able to create chances through combinations and contributions from throughout the lineup.
Player Spotlight: Spencer Rinne
12 goals | 9 assists | 33 points
Rinne's combination of scoring and distribution has made him Nixa's leading point producer through 13 matches. He has directly contributed to 21 scoring plays.
Shaw Provides Another Consistent Scoring Threat
While Rinne has led the overall scoring column, forward running-mate senior Gavin Shaw has provided Nixa with another dangerous option in the attacking third.
Shaw has recorded 10 goals and three assists for 23 points, making him the second Eagle to reach double figures in goals.
His season total includes Nixa's opening-match goal against Hickman and a hat trick against Neosho.
Player Spotlight: Gavin Shaw
10 goals | 3 assists | 23 points
With 10 goals through 13 matches, Shaw has helped give Nixa multiple finishing threats and another consistent presence around the goal.
Barker's Playmaking Adds Another Dimension
Sophomore midfielder Calix Barker has contributed on both sides of the scoring equation.
Barker has recorded four goals and six assists for 14 points, with his six assists ranking among Nixa's top totals.
Player Spotlight: Calix Barker
4 goals | 6 assists | 14 points
Barker's production illustrates the balance behind Nixa's attack. His ability to create opportunities for teammates has complemented his own scoring production.
Defense, Smith Providing the Foundation
As productive as Nixa has been offensively, its work without the ball has been equally important.
Center back senior Sam Krans propels the stout defense, which has surrendered just 10 goals in 13 matches and recorded seven shutouts, meaning Nixa has kept its opponent off the scoreboard in more than half of its matches. Krans has also added four goals on the offensive side.
Senior goalkeeper Jackson Smith has helped anchor that defensive effort. Smith has recorded 32 saves while allowing seven goals, stopping approximately 82% of the shots on goal he has faced. He has also made six appearances without allowing a goal, highlighted by an eight-save performance in Nixa's 1-0 shutout of Marquette.
That defensive performance has complemented an attack averaging 3.85 goals per contest and has helped produce a plus-40 goal differential.
Nixa has also been able to dictate stretches of matches through sustained pressure. The Eagles 263 shots and 72 corner kicks demonstrate how frequently play has moved into the attacking third.
Up Next
Nixa enters the next portion of its schedule with several conference matchups and a tournament test ahead.
The Eagles are scheduled to face Jackson on Thursday, Oct. 1, before continuing into the weekend with matches against Washington and Lee's Summit West in the Kickapoo Shootout.
Nixa then returns to conference play with home matches against Webb City on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. and Joplin on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m.
The remainder of October includes conference matchups with Glendale, Kickapoo, Lebanon, Waynesville and Ozark as the Eagles work toward the postseason.
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